EDITOR, The Tribune

In view of several anti-LGBT incidents recently reported in the national news, it appears that The Bahamas is still grappling with the struggle for LGBT rights in our rather homophobic and misogynist society.

Despite passage of anti-discrimination laws that protects the human rights of its LGBT citizens in most progressive western democracies, such as Canada, the UK, and more recently, the USA, in The Bahamas, our laws, mores, and attitudes toward LGBT issues and gender equality remains more reflective of our colonial past.

Interestingly, gender-based discrimination laws were enshrined in our constitution from its inception. Consequently, for the second time since our Independence in 1973, a national referendum will be held on June 7, in accordance with the procedures for amending our supreme laws, to correct these deficiencies.

In 2002, when the first referendum on ‘Gender Equality’ failed, the present ruling party, then serving as the official opposition, voted in favour of the proposed bills in parliament; but, apparently, engaging political skulduggery, they reversed their position and campaigned against the referendum before the populous vote. Undoubtedly, their actions contributed to its defeat at the polls.

nically, today, many who oppose gender equality do so on the false premise that it will result in the legalization of same-sex marriage. Accordingly, a group of Christian fundamentalist pastors, along with a few parliamentarians, are urging the electorate to vote “NO” on the upcoming referendum, solely on this basis.

Subsequently, a few weeks ago, four Bahamian transgender activists held a news conference, in reference to the referendum, at a leading hotel in downtown Nassau. Although, there is absolutely no mention of LGBT rights in the bills, these poised transgender women made a public appeal for their human rights and dignity to be respected in our society.

In an over reaction to the news conference, an MP of the governing party, renowned for his impetuous comments, suggested that all transgender Bahamians be “exiled to a private cay”. This MP’s irresponsible pronouncements sparked heated debates on talk radio across New Providence, and prompted the chairman of the ruling party to publicly distance their party from the MP’s homophobic remarks.

However, despite the chairman’s efforts to neutralize the controversy, a few days following, a group of LGBT participants in the Junkanoo Carnival Parade, allegedly, were violently attacked by some onlookers. In a shocking video, purportedly, of the incident circulating on social media, the melee took place in full view of police on crowd control duty, who appear either apathetic or reluctant to intervene.

Consequently, the chairman of the ruling party has called for a full police investigation into the circumstances. However, in view of the questionable actions of the police, as evidenced in the video, coupled with a perception by LGBT Bahamians of a general “police apathy” whenever they are victims of criminal assaults, it is incumbent upon the police commissioner to conduct a separate investigation into the behaviour of his officers towards this marginalized minority in our society.

Naturally, a call for the police to investigate itself may be viewed with some degree scepticism; nevertheless, the outcome of a comprehensive investigation into this matter could be the impetus for positive change.

Obviously, a dialogue and lines of communication must be established between representatives of the LGBT community and the police. Furthermore, sensitivity training should be ongoing for members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force when dealing with the LGBT community. A professional police organization should never be perceived as unwilling or reluctant to “protect and serve” anyone within its jurisdiction, regardless of race, colour, creed, national origin, sex (including male or female trangenders) and sexual orientation.

The bottom line is, Bahamian LGBT lives should matter to all of us, simply because they are APART of us; they could be our parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, daughters, sons, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends; in spite of the fact that The Bahamas may not be evolving as quickly as other western democracies on the issues of homophobia and gender equality. Respect.

ZENNERMAN Z SHERMAN

May 14, 2016